Chapter 2 – Final fittings

Today was the day Zoe was having the final fitting for her dress. All the bridesmaids were coming with her as they would be trying theirs on for the last time too. "I can't wait for your wedding Zoe, it's going to be so much fun! You're going to love the plan we've designed for you as well!" Zoe looked over at Sharice, she couldn't believe how much she'd grown up in the past few years and was so happy to be able to share her day with her. "Oh yeah, what have you done?" Sharice laughed "Yeah like I'm going to tell you. That would ruin the surprise for you! Anyway have you done your speech yet? Linda told me to ask you." Zoe pulled up outside Robyn's house while she looked back to Sharice "Kind of, I mean there's just something I can't seem to get right with it so I think it will just happen on the day."

Once Robyn and Rita had come out of the house they drove to the dress shop. When they got there they saw Linda and Ruth already waiting outside. "Come on slow coach! We thought you'd be more eager to get to this appointment" they said laughing. Zoe parked her car and they all headed inside. "Hi, we've got a final fitting under the name of Hanna." "Okay, yes come this way and we'll get you sorted out. I believe the bridesmaids dresses are already out for them to try and then I shall go and get yours for you." Zoe thanked the receptionist and sat down while the other girls went and tried their dresses on for the final time before the big day.

Zoe was nervously sat waiting outside as Sharice walked out to Zoe smiling. As soon as Zoe saw her she began to cry "God I hope you're not like this on the actual day Zoe" she said as she walked over and hugged her. Sharice had a slightly different dress to the other women as she was a bit younger but also Zoe's head bridesmaid. It was a light blue chiffon dress which flowed to the floor. As it was a beach wedding they had all chosen light flowing dresses. It had thin straps which had small diamante's on. Around the waist there was also small diamante detailing which went around the dress like a belt. Sharice was going to wear sandals instead of heels as she didn't want to walk along the beach and fall over. Zoe hugged Sharice again as the other women walked out in their dresses.

Rita, Robyn, Ruth and Linda were all in sky blue chiffon dresses which fell to their feet which had on white peep toe heels. The dresses were all strapless and had a rippled effect across the chest which was bunched in the middle with a small heart pendant. "So what do you think of your wonderfully brilliant bridesmaids and there marvellous choice of dress?" Linda had helped Sharice to choose the dresses for them and it was the first time Zoe was seeing them. "You all look beautiful; I really don't think you could find dresses which were any more perfect than this." Zoe began to tear up again and all the girls came around Zoe and gave her a hug. "Right then, we better get changed for the biggest viewing of day!" Ruth and the other ladies went back in to get changed while Zoe went into the other room to get into her dress.

Zoe was breathing heavily as she felt scared, nervous and excited to see her dress again. The moment she saw it she thought it was beautiful but it wasn't until she put it on and Tess had seen her in it that she realised it was the one. While Zoe was getting changed the others had come out of the room and had been greeted by Tess and Zoe's mum. "Esme what are you doing here? Zoe never mentioned you were coming." Zoe's mother walked up to Linda and hugged her "She didn't know I was coming today, Tess told me it was today and I realised I needed to be here. I've not been there for Zoe recently and I want to change that." They all sat down on the sofas and waited for the blushing bride to come out.

Zoe was looking at herself in the mirror with her dress on. Every time she put the dress on she couldn't help but see herself walking along the beach towards Max. "I think you're bridesmaids are getting restless out there, are you ready to show them?" Zoe nodded before turning around carefully. Of course Zoe was wearing heels for her wedding, however they had been a present from all the bridesmaids. They were her something blue as they matched the bridesmaid's dresses which Zoe loved. She began walking out of the changing room when she heard the women talking and recognised her mother's voice. Zoe couldn't believe she was here for her. She carried on walking out and saw all the women looking at her and gasping.

Zoe stepped in front of all the women who were beginning to get emotional. Zoe's dress was white as Max had said the only thing he wanted in her dress was it to be the traditional colour. It was a tight-fitting lace dress which had long sleeves. It scooped down to show part of Zoe's back and shoulders. The sleeves were a very light material so that she wouldn't get too hot. There was no sparkles or glitter on it as everyone had expected but it was simple and elegant. It fit Zoe's hips perfectly and went out slightly as it reached her lower legs. It didn't really have a train as it needed to be practical for the beach ceremony. "Zoe, you look beautiful" Linda smiled at her as all the other girls were lost for words. Esme was stood with Tess crying while looking at her daughter. "Zoe…" She was cut off by her daughter who had stepped forward and hugged her. "Mum I'm so happy you're here."

After a few minutes Zoe stood facing her Mum. "I'm sorry I haven't had better contact with you recently baby, I've just been finding it hard since you're father passed. You've made us both so proud Zoe and I never want you to think otherwise, okay? Promise me you'll always remember how much we love you! How is my beautiful granddaughter?" Zoe laughed before speaking to her mum about Amelia. On the other side of the room Linda was talking to Tess while the others were still discussing Zoe's dress. "I think Zoe's grateful for her mother being here. It's exactly what she needed this week." Tess nodded as they watched Zoe turn back to them. "So I need your help with something girls. I saw a hairstyle the other day which I've decided I'll be having, but I'm not sure about having a veil or not." Ruth was curious as she knew that Zoe was struggling with hair decisions and Zoe could tell from her face what she was thinking. "Actually about that…" Robyn stood up and walked over to Zoe with a small box "It's from my mum, she asked me to give it you today." Zoe smiled as she took the little box from Robyn and when she opened it, she found a small butterfly with little blue crystals on it. It was a hair clip which could be attached to Zoe's hair if it was up in anyway. "Max always used to speak to Mum about her wedding, and he always used to look at this so he should recognise it on your big day." "Oh Robyn it's beautiful, thank you so much. Your mum didn't have to-" "She knew you'd say that so she told me to tell you stop it. From next week you're as good as her daughter so she wanted you to have it." Zoe hugged Robyn before turning around to get changed again.

All in all it had been an amazing day and all the women had decided to take Zoe out for lunch as they would need to take the dresses to Tess' house anyway. Zoe had phoned Max to check in on Amelia and all was fine so they enjoyed the rest of their afternoon. Zoe had spoken to her mum who had agreed to go back home and come down the week of the wedding to stay. Everything was becoming more real for Zoe who couldn't wait for the day to come.